New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced a new election policy on Sunday afternoon that would restrict voting rights exclusively to New Zealand citizens.
Speaking at a public meeting in Warkworth, Peters outlined plans to strip non-citizen permanent residents of their right to vote in both general and local body elections.
Currently, legal residents who have lived in New Zealand continuously for a year or more can enrol and vote, provided their visa does not require them to leave by a specified date. This criteria applies to those holding permanent residency, work or study visas.
During his address, Peters argued that democratic participation should be reserved for individuals who have formally committed to the nation. "Voting should be a privilege of those who have sworn allegiance to New Zealand, and who have made the commitment to make New Zealand their home and their future," Peters said.
Peters questioned why non-citizens should influence local and national governance. He asked the audience, "If you haven't made that commitment or sworn that allegiance, we are happy to let you live here permanently, but why should you get a say in how this country is run or governed?"
According to his speech notes, Peters targeted the ease with which permanent residents can currently participate in pivotal democratic decisions.
He stated that it was a problem that residents could vote for central government, local councils and referendums that could fundamentally change the social fabric of society.
"New Zealand First will restore the basic democratic principle that the right to decide New Zealand's future belongs to New Zealand citizens," he said.
Peters further noted that while permanent residency grants the right to live, work, study and build a life in New Zealand, citizenship remains the formal bond of allegiance, belonging, responsibility and democratic authority.
